Guide
Apply for a tree felling licence
How to apply for a tree felling licence from the Forestry Commission under the Forestry Act 1967. Covers when a licence is required, exemptions, the application process, restocking conditions, and devolved arrangements for Wales and Scotland.
When you need a felling licence
If you plan to fell growing trees in England, you usually need a felling licence from the Forestry Commission before any work begins. Felling without a licence where one is required is a criminal offence under the Forestry Act 1967, and you may face a fine of up to twice the value of the trees felled.
The licensing requirement applies to most felling of growing trees, whether on commercial forestry land, farmland, or development sites. A small quarterly volume exemption exists, along with several other exemptions for specific circumstances.
You should apply well in advance of any planned felling. The Forestry Commission typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to process an application, and you must not fell until your licence is granted.
Check whether an exemption applies
Several categories of felling are exempt from the licence requirement. Before applying, check whether your planned work falls within one of the statutory exemptions. If an exemption applies, you do not need a felling licence, though other protections such as Tree Preservation Orders or conservation area rules may still restrict your felling.
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1. Check whether a felling licence is needed
Assess whether your planned felling falls within one of the exemptions. Calculate the volume of timber you intend to fell in the calendar quarter. If it is 5 cubic metres or less (and you will sell no more than 2 cubic metres), no licence is needed. Also check whether the trees are in a garden, orchard, or churchyard, or fall below the trunk diameter thresholds.
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2. Check for Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas
Even if a felling licence exemption applies, the trees may be protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or located in a conservation area. Contact your local planning authority to check. If a TPO is in place, you need separate consent from the authority. Trees in conservation areas require 6 weeks' notice before works can begin.
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3. Gather your application information
You will need: the location of the trees (grid reference or map), the species and approximate number of trees to be felled, the estimated volume of timber, the reason for felling, and your proposed restocking plan if applicable. Include a map showing the area of felling clearly marked.
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4. Submit your application to the Forestry Commission
Apply online through the Forestry Commission felling licence portal or by post using the standard application form. There is no fee for a felling licence application. If the site includes or borders a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Forestry Commission will consult Natural England before making a decision.
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5. Await the decision
The Forestry Commission aims to process applications within 8 to 12 weeks. They may contact you for additional information or arrange a site visit. Do not begin felling until you have received your licence in writing. The licence may be granted unconditionally, granted with conditions (usually restocking), or refused.
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6. Comply with licence conditions
If your licence includes conditions, you must comply with them. The most common condition is a restocking requirement, obliging you to replant trees on the felled area. Failure to comply with conditions may result in the Forestry Commission issuing an enforcement notice or prosecuting.
Restocking conditions
Most felling licences include a restocking condition requiring you to replant trees on the felled area. The Forestry Commission uses restocking conditions to maintain England's woodland cover.
The restocking condition will typically specify:
- The area to be replanted
- The species to be planted (the Forestry Commission may specify native broadleaf species or allow commercial conifer depending on the site)
- The timescale for replanting (usually within one or two planting seasons after felling)
- Maintenance requirements to establish the new trees
If you want to fell trees without replanting (for example, to convert woodland to agricultural land), you may need to apply for a felling licence without restocking. These are granted only in limited circumstances and are assessed against the UK Forestry Standard and the government's commitment to increasing woodland cover.
Interaction with TPOs and conservation areas
Felling licences and tree protection under the planning system are separate regimes that can both apply to the same trees.
- A felling licence under the Forestry Act 1967 is administered by the Forestry Commission
- A Tree Preservation Order under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is administered by the local planning authority
- Trees in conservation areas require 6 weeks' notice to the local planning authority under TCPA 1990, Section 211
Where a tree is covered by both a felling licence requirement and a TPO, you need both approvals before felling. If felling is authorised by planning permission (for example, as part of a development approval), you do not need a separate felling licence, but you may still need to address TPO requirements through the planning process.
Always check with your local planning authority before felling any trees, even if you hold a felling licence.